Stevens Soccer Programs Begin 2012 Ranked in NSCAA Top 25

8/7/2012

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) released its Division III preseason Top 25 poll today and both Stevens soccer programs will begin the 2012 season ranked. Stevens’ men team will start the season ranked seventh nationally, while the women are 18th in the country.

The men’s soccer program finished the 2011 season ranked No. 6 in the NSCAA poll after making a run to the Elite 8 of the NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer Championship. Stevens won its fifth straight Empire 8 title, eighth straight conference title and made its 11th consecutive NCAA Championship appearance last year.

The 2011 team was unbeaten and untied in the Empire 8 regular season and tournament for the first time since 2007 and posted an 18-3-1 record on the year. The team won 16-straight matches at one point and was unbeaten in a string of 18-consecutive matches.

On the women’s side, the team claimed its second Empire 8 title in as many years en route to an automatic bid into the NCAA DIII Women’s Soccer Championship. The team will carry a 13-game unbeaten streak into this season which is the fourth longest in program history, as well as an 11-game home unbeaten streak which is third all time.

The women’s program wrapped up 2011 with a 14-3-4 overall record and has two teams on the upcoming schedule also ranked in the top 25. Ithaca College, ranked 19th in the poll, travels to Castle Point on September 29 for a conference showdown, while The College of New Jersey sits 21st and will host the Ducks on October 17.